Comparison: Best Oil For Butcher Block Counter (Updated | Oct 22nd)
Choosing the right oil for your butcher block countertop is essential to maintain its beauty, durability, and food-safe qualities. With various options available—from mineral oil and walnut oil to specialized wood conditioners—it’s important to consider factors like drying time, absorption rate, and reapplication frequency. This guide compares popular oils, highlighting their pros, cons, and best uses to help you make an informed decision that keeps your countertop looking its best for years to come.
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
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Best for best overall:
Watco 241758 Butcher Block Oil & Finish -
Best for vitamin e rich:
HOWARD Butcher Block Conditioner and Cutting Board Oil -
Best for easy application:
Thirteen Chefs Mineral Oil – 12oz Food Grade Conditioner for Wood Cutting Board -
Best for stain enhancement:
Watco 359024 Butcher Block Oil + Stain -
Best for made in usa:
John Boos MYSB Mystery Butcher Block Oil -
Best for complete care set:
John Boos 2-Piece Care Set -
Best for odor neutralizer:
Howard Butcher Block Oil -
Best for premium blend:
John Taylor Butcher Block Conditioner Food Grade Mineral Oil and Natural Waxes -
Best for best budget:
PURE ORIGINAL INGREDIENTS Mineral Oil (8 fl oz) for Cutting Boards -
Best for long-lasting protection:
Wood Master's Secret Non-Toxic
Product Comparison: Best Oil For Butcher Block Counter
Best overall
Watco 241758 Butcher Block Oil & Finish, 16 oz, Clear
Watco
- Protects interior wood surfaces such as butcher blocks, cutting boards, salad bowls and more
- Non-toxic, food safe wood oil is easy to apply with no brush marks
- Dries to the touch in 2 hours and covers up to 50 sq. ft. , ready for use after 72 hours
- Easy wipe-on application with a clean cloth – meets government standards of 21 CFR 175. 300
- Enhances and maintains wood items with a rich, lustrous sheen
- Easy wipe-on application.
- The rich sheen enhances the wood while it protects.
- Food-safe formulation.
Vitamin E rich
HOWARD Butcher Block Conditioner and Cutting Board Oil, Food Grade Conditioner and Oil, Great for Wooden Bowls and Utensils, Re hydrate your Cutting Blocks, 12 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
HOWARD
- REVITALIZING FORMULA BLEND prevents drying and cracking of hardwoods and bamboo. Great for restaurant cutting boards, great for home kitchens even chef cutting boards. This is the safest conditioner and will rejuvenate and revitalizes cutting boards. Great size for restaurants and industrial kitchens.
- HOWARD BUTCHER BLOCK OILS ARE TASTELESS AND ODORLESS. Vitamin E cutting boards will absorb oils and great at protecting the lifespan of the wood. Apply the butcher block oil to the board and the ingredients penetrates into the wood surface. Formula is great for wooden utensils. Prevent cracking and drying of unfinished wood
- Howard's BUTCHER BLOCK CONDITIONER IS THE SAFEST butcher block conditioner on the market.
- FOOD GRADE MINERAL OIL with Vitamin E. Howard Natural oils provide another level of protection High quality pure natural food grade mineral oil Ideal for salad bowls wooden spoons and wooden toys Benefits
Easy application
Thirteen Chefs Mineral Oil – 12oz Food Grade Conditioner for Wood Cutting Board, Countertop & Butcher Block, Lubricant for Knife or Meat Grinder – Safe USP Finish on Marble, Soapstone
Thirteen Chefs
- FOOD GRADE – This butcher block conditioner is lab tested to ensure that it meets food safety standards, and is also colorless, odorless, tasteless, and gluten free.
- PROTECTION – Use this mineral oil for cutting board restoration and protection to prevent cracking and drying. It also magically restores your knives, kitchen appliances, and more!
- EASY APPLICATION – This butcher block oil has a push-applicator cap and squeeze-bottle design that makes maintenance a breeze. Apply generously with a rag or by hand and let sit for 4 hours.
- TREATMENT – A single bottle of mineral oil for wood cutting boards can last for years! A Thirteen Chefs 1oz oil treatment every 3 months is all you need for a cutting board up to 18".
- MADE IN THE USA – Our 100% pure food grade mineral oil for cutting board cleaning undergoes regular safety testing and is bottled in FDA compliant facilities in the United States
Stain enhancement
Watco 359024 Butcher Block Oil + Stain, 16 oz, Hazelnut
Watco
- Ideal for staining and protecting wood surfaces such as cutting/butcher blocks, salad bowls, counters, utensils and more
- Specially formulated nontoxic stain works in just one application and is FDA compliant for food contact
- Dries to the touch in 2 hours, fully cured in 72 hours
- Rich stain enhances wood grain for a lustrous color and sheen
- Easy to apply oil is more durable than traditional butcher block oils for a longer lasting protection
Made in USA
John Boos MYSB Mystery Butcher Block Oil, 16 Ounce Bottle
Boos Block
- One 16 ounce/473mL of John Boos Mystery Oil, ideal for maintaining and preserving wood food preparation surfaces including: cutting boards, butcher blocks, countertops and utensils
- Proudly Made in the USA from all natural materials
- Once a month, John Boos Mystery Oil to your cutting board or butcher block and allow it to soak in overnight. Repeat the process more often when your board is new, or if you live in a dry/arid climate
- Regular oiling can prevent wood from drying, splitting and cracking
- NSF Certified (National Sanitation Foundation), and safe for use on food preparation surfaces
Complete care set
John Boos 2-Piece Care Set, 16 oz Mystery Oil & 5 oz Board Cream – All-Natural Maintenance Formula for Butcher Blocks, Cutting Boards, Wooden Countertops & Wood Utensils
John Boos
- Wood Cutting Board Oil & Cream: Pamper and prep the wood of your John Boos chopping blocks, cutting boards, or charcuterie boards with our Boos Block Mystery Oil and Boos Block Board Cream.
- Crafted for Your Home: Our Mystery Oil and Board Cream are designed to stop drying, splitting, and cracking of wooden surfaces between uses. Apply monthly and use more often in dry or arid climates.
- Made for Life: Mystery Oil and Board Cream’s natural white mineral oil and beeswax formula is safe for food surfaces.
- Easy Care: Apply an even amount of Mystery Oil and Board Cream once per month and let it penetrate the wood fibers overnight for all-around wood surface moisture.
- Superior Craftsmanship: Since 1887, John Boos has been a trusted name among top chefs for gourmet items. Our precise, custom craftsmanship shines through in every wood and stainless-steel product.
Odor neutralizer
Howard Butcher Block Oil, Conditioner and Cutting Board Cleaner 12 Ounce, Food Grade Mineral Oil, Food Safe Wood Sealer
HOWARD
- Deeply penetrates into wood pores, bringing out the rich natural wood color and helps prevent drying and cracking
- Ideal for conditioning and maintaining all wooden butcher blocks, cutting boards, wooden bowls, and utensils
- Helps to maintain your wooden kitchen items to keep them looking great and lasting for years
- Cleans and neutralizes odors on well-used cutting surfaces and wooden utensils
- Exceeds the requirement set forth in the U.S. FDA regulations for direct and indirect food contact
Premium blend
John Taylor Butcher Block Conditioner Food Grade Mineral Oil and Natural Waxes
John Taylor
- FOOD SAFE MINERAL OIL AND NATURAL BEESWAX: John Taylor’s signature mineral oil for direct and indirect contact with food. It penetrates deep into wood to prevent drying and cracking while beeswax restores the surface to a lustrous finish.
- ENGINEERED TO REPEL WATER AND PREVENT FUTURE DAMAGE: Our newest revitalizing blend prevents drying and cracking of hardwoods and bamboo. The natural waxes provide another level of protection for salad bowls, wooden spoons and wooden toys.
- USE AFTER EVERY WASH TO REVITALIZE YOUR WOOD: Our special formulation of mineral oil, beeswax and carnauba wax revitalizes and helps keep butcher blocks and cutting boards functional and beautiful, so you can wash your wood with confidence.
- BUFF OUT KNIFE CUTS AND SURFACE SCRATCHES WITH EASE: Your wood stays looking new – even after years of continuous use. John Taylor Butcher Block Conditioner lets you get more life out of your wood.
- LEAVES NO ODOR, NO TASTE – SAFE FOR USE ON FOOD PREP SURFACES: Safe to use around foods and provides ideal protection for children’s wood toys.
Best budget
PURE ORIGINAL INGREDIENTS Mineral Oil (8 fl oz) for Cutting Boards, Butcher Blocks, Counter Tops, Wood Utensils
PURE ORIGINAL INGREDIENTS
- Pure Original Ingredients Mineral Oil is made from a single ingredient, providing a pure undiluted supplement
Long-lasting protection
Wood Master's Secret Non-Toxic, Food Safe Cutting Board Oil, Conditioner & Sealer. Exceeds FDA Food Contact Surface Regulations. Also Works On Butcher Blocks, Wood Counters & More (8Oz)
Seal It Green
- 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐒. 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒. 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐒. Wood Master's Secret (WMS) cutting board oil uses the power of pure tung oil and plant based ingredients to condition, restore & protect cutting boards, butcher blocks and all wood surfaces.
- 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘. 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊 𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒. Wood Master's Secret lasts for years. Food-grade mineral oil lasts weeks requiring 8-12+ applications per year. WMS requires one application every 1-3 years. One bottle of WMS is equal to 4+ bottles of mineral oil. PLUS a whole lot less work.
- 𝐍𝐎 𝐓𝐎𝐗𝐈𝐂 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐎𝐈𝐋. WMS is entirely plant-based, unlike food-grade mineral oil, which is derived from petroleum and isn't beneficial for our bodies or the planet. WMS is made with simple, recognizable ingredients (see the description section for details) and contains no mineral oil.
- 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐅. 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐅. WMS cutting board/butcher block oil will help prevent moisture damage and minimize ugly stains. Go ahead and make the dish your friends and family crave without concern for your surfaces or contaminating the food with petroleum derivatives.
- 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐎𝐈𝐋 & 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑. Exceeds FDA direct food contact and food prep surface requirements. Works great on cutting boards, butcher blocks, wood countertops (indoor & outdoor), and wooden patio furniture. No need to be a professional chef, woodworker, or contractor to purchase this powerful product. ADD TO THE CART NOW.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What is the best food-grade oil for butcher block maintenance?
Howard Butcher Block Conditioner and Cutting Board Oil is a food-grade option.
Which oil also includes a stain option?
Watco Butcher Block Oil + Stain provides both conditioning and staining in one product.
Are there multi-use care sets available?
John Boos 2-Piece Care Set includes oil and board cream for comprehensive care.
Which option is a mineral oil-based conditioner?
Thirteen Chefs Mineral Oil is a food-grade mineral oil conditioner for wood surfaces.
What oil is non-toxic and food-safe?
Wood Master's Secret Cutting Board Oil is non-toxic and food-safe.
Which product combines oil and cleaner?
Howard Butcher Block Oil also functions as a conditioner and cutting board cleaner.
Is there a smaller-sized mineral oil option?
Pure Original Ingredients Mineral Oil comes in an 8 fl oz bottle for compact use.
